Author: Army LGBT Forum

When I took over as LGBT+ Champion for the Army nearly two years ago, my determination was that the LGBT+ Community within the Army should be treated with the same degree of respect that any soldier or officer has the right to expect.

So far in my tenure I have seen the Army given the Public Sector Equality Award in 2016 by Pink News, WO2 Styles AGC(SPS) awarded an MBE for her hard work to take forward the Army LGBT+ Forum, and the Army being listed once again as a Stonewall Top 100 Employer of LGBT+ personnel. I have also attended two London Prides, and was immensely proud to march with my LGBT+ brothers and sisters in arms through London in 2017.

While the kudos of awards and parades demonstrates to the world that the Army has moved on, is an employer which welcomes LGBT+ people and will fight for their equality, it is the everyday efforts of all of our soldiers and officers that I wholeheartedly encourage and commend. Everyday efforts to live by our values and standards, call out unacceptable behaviour, seek to understand the challenges faced by our LGBT+ soldiers, and act as true allies. At this year’s Army LGBT+ Forum Conference I repeated my promise to continue to fight for fairness and equality and I will stand with you for as long as I am your Champion.

Lieutenant General Patrick Sanders CBE DSO
Commander Field Army & Army LGBT+ Champion

As we kick of LGBT History Month we’re proud to share with you an article from the Royal British Legion featuring Lance Sergeant Adam Kastein, one of our London regional representatives, in which he shares his experience of coming out whilst in the Army and the importance of LGBT History Month.

The British Army is delighted to be counted once again, as one of the top 100 employers in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2018. This listing is prestigious as it is judged against more than 430 organisations and companies. It is also testament to the increasingly inclusive environment within the Army.

The Stonewall Top 100 Employers are the best performing employers on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2018, an annual audit of workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff.

Organisations that take part are scored according to their policies, their senior leader engagement and their activities to promote equality for their LGBT+ employees.

“We are delighted to be included in Stonewall’s listing of Top 100 employers,” says Lt Gen Patrick Sanders, Commander Field Army and LGBT Champion for the Army. “It recognises our commitment to diversity and the importance we place on allowing soldiers to be themselves.

“It is only by doing so that we release the genie of their potential, for the greater good. We aim to live all the values and standards that define us: selfless commitment, courage, discipline, integrity, loyalty and respect for others.”

Part of the scoring comes from a staff survey which all army personnel were invited to complete to give their personal views of the Army’s inclusivity.

In an environment where respect for the individual is guaranteed and people can be open and honest about themselves, talent can be released to the greatest effect.

Darren Towers, Executive Director, Stonewall said: “The British Army and all those who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list have done a fantastic job. Taking part in our Index shows real commitment to understanding and advancing LGBT equality. This year, for the first time, the Index looked at what employers were doing for trans equality in the workplace. This work is crucial.

“Half of trans people have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination. This must change and it’s encouraging to see so many organisations make a commitment to trans equality. With their support and hard work we can create a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception.”

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The Army LGBT Forum exists to promote a work environment in which Army personnel, including its LGBT personnel feel supported and valued, enabling them to fulfill their career potentials and to contribute fully to the benefit of the Service.